SOLUTION: our mother is 3 times as old as my brother and i am 1/3rd times older than my brother. if 4 years ago i was as old as my brother today, what is the age of my mother?

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Question 471471: our mother is 3 times as old as my brother and i am 1/3rd times older than my brother. if 4 years ago i was as old as my brother today, what is the age of my mother?
Found 2 solutions by Edwin McCravy, mananth:
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20056)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Our mother is 3 times as old as my brother 
M = 3B

and i am 1/3rd times older than my brother.
You lost me there.  Are you 1/3 as old as your brother?
If so you are YOUNGER, not OLDER, than your brother.
Or are you your brother's age plus 1/3 of his age older?

If the first way, the equation is

I = B

If the second way then the equation is

I = B + B

if 4 years ago i was as old as my brother today,
I - 4 = B

I'll try it both ways, but now I believe you meant the
second way.  Otherwise this last sentence wouldn't make
sense.

First way



I will assume you know how to solve a system of
equations.  If you don't post again asking how
to solve this system.

No that give B=-6, I = -2 and M = -18.

Second way:

Since ages can't be negative, you must have meant the 
other way:

 

Simplify the second equation:



Multiply through by 3







Solve that system and get B = 12, I = 16 and M = 36

So you are 16, your brother is 12, and your Mother is 36.

Edwin
Answer by mananth(16946)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
our mother is 3 times as old as my brother and i am 1/3rd times older than my brother. if 4 years ago i was as old as my brother today, what is the age of my mother?
Let brothers age now be x
mother's age = 3x
my age = x/3+x
...
4 years ago
brother's age = x-4
mother's age= 3x-4
my age x/3+x-4
my age =x
x=x/3 +x -4
x/3=4
x=12
Mother's age = 12*3=36 years.
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